DESOPADEC Takes Drug/ Substance Abuse Campaign To Oproza, Patani

The Department of Community Development and Public Enlightenment (CDPE) of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, on Friday 30th January, continued with the campaign against drug/substance abuse with Oproza Grammar School and Government Model Secondary School, Patani, Headquarters of Patani local Area as anchor points. 

The campaign themed, "Education is no scam," made possible under the pragmatic leadership of the Board Chairman, Barr. John Nani and MD/CEO of DESOPADEC, Chief Festus Ochonogor in line with the M.O.R.E agenda of His Excellency Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori was to enlighten the students on the dangers inherent in drug and substance abuse

Speaking at the event, Mrs. Chinenye Ezonfade, ably represented by Evelyn Utueyin thanked the Executive Director Social Services, Chief Favour Izoukumor for his unwavering commitment and support for the success of the programme, stating that his steadfastness has taken the sensitization campaign to an enviable height across DESOPADEC mandate areas and urged the students to pay rapt attention to the lectures to be delivered by the resource persons and take practical steps not to be victims of the most dreaded cancer bedeviling the youths in recent times.

The Principal of Oproza grammar school, Mrs. Oyeghe Beatrice in her speech, expressed gratitude to the Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori and DESOPADEC for the bold initiative and for picking her school as one worthy to be enlightened on the effect of the most dreaded cancer bedeviling destinies of youths. Noting that this gesture of the Commission is highly appreciated, she promised to continue to reinforce the message through her various platforms within the school.

One of the resource persons who did justice to the theme, Mr. Akpo Ofere Bawo explained that Education is the bedrock of any society as it helps individuals to acquire knowledge, skills, values and habits that transform, shape and mold the character of an individual through formal and informal means of learning that open the door to endless opportunities to an individual and appealed to the students to opt for education no matter the odds and never believe the lie that education is a scam.

Ms. Elizabeth Odusi in her lecture, highlighted some dangers of drugs/substance abuse alongside cultism as not just a health emergency but also a social and developmental threat that undermines educational attainment, community progress and the psychological wellbeing of the youths. Hence, she appealed to the students to desist from any act capable of truncating their destinies and advancement in life.

Present at the event were old students of Oproza grammar school led by the General Secretary, Mr. Ekperi Edwin Osuo who appreciated DESOPADEC for singling out their community and school for this very important enlightenment campaign, stating that this could not have come at a better time, emphasizing that in an era of misinformation and heightened level of drug substance abuse amongst students especially through social media, it is both timely and necessary, demonstrating DESOPADEC 's commitment to youth development, education and positive value orientation within her mandate communities.

Mr. Osuo used the occasion to appeal to DESOPADEC to assist the school with science laboratory which is currently in a dilapidated state.

High point of the campaign was a keenly contested school debate between Oproza grammar school and Government model secondary school with Ikpeta Success Ebitimi, Kelly Opuana, David Omamoke, Ejomafuwe Peace and Madubese Juliet Tombra as star winners.

By Judith Ebitimi kwamande.

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